Crispy Rice Salmon Stack (Printable)

Golden crispy rice layered with seasoned salmon, creamy avocado, and zesty sauces for a fresh, flavorful dish.

# Ingredient list:

→ Sushi Rice

01 - 1 cup uncooked sushi rice
02 - 1 1/4 cups water
03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Crispy Rice

06 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Salmon

07 - 7 ounces sushi-grade salmon, finely diced
08 - 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
09 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
10 - 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
11 - 1 teaspoon lime juice
12 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion

→ Toppings & Assembly

13 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced or mashed
14 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
15 - 1 teaspoon sriracha
16 - 1 tablespoon black or white sesame seeds
17 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives (optional)
18 - 1 sheet nori, cut into thin strips (optional)

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Rinse sushi rice under cold water until clear. Combine rice and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 10 minutes.
02 - Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Fold gently into cooked rice and allow to cool to room temperature.
03 - Press cooled rice into a parchment-lined 8-inch square pan to 1/2-inch thickness. Chill in refrigerator for 20 minutes.
04 - Combine diced salmon, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, lime juice, and green onion in a bowl. Mix gently and chill until assembly.
05 - Stir together mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl. Set aside.
06 - Remove rice from pan and cut into 2-inch squares. Heat vegetable oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry squares 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
07 - Top each crispy rice square with avocado, salmon mixture, a drizzle of spicy mayo, sesame seeds, chives, and nori strips if desired.
08 - Serve immediately while rice is warm and crispy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The rice gets impossibly crispy on the outside while staying tender inside, giving you that textural contrast that keeps you coming back for another bite.
  • It feels fancy enough to serve guests but comes together in under an hour, so you can actually enjoy your own dinner.
  • You can prep the components ahead and assemble just before serving, which means less stress when people arrive.
02 -
  • The oil temperature matters more than you think—if it's not hot enough, your rice absorbs oil instead of crisping, so wait for a visible shimmer before adding the squares.
  • Don't skip the chilling step for the pressed rice; it's what prevents your beautiful squares from falling apart when they hit the hot oil.
03 -
  • Pat your avocado slices dry with a paper towel before layering them, so excess moisture doesn't soften your crispy rice.
  • Use a cast iron or heavy nonstick skillet for the crispiest results, as it distributes heat more evenly than lighter pans.
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